Obtain a C5 Visa for Foreign Entrepreneurs from Non-EAEU Countries: An Easy Start for Business in Kazakhstan, Multiple Entry, Long-Term Stay, and Full Legalization of Activity

Obtaining a C5 visa is more than just a bureaucratic formality; it's a complex legal quest, in which an invitation is the key that opens all doors. A mistake at this stage can result in months of delays and even loss of entry. To navigate this process safely, you need to understand not only the "what" but also the "why" of it all.

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The inviting party: not just a signature, but a financial and legal guarantor. 
 In Kazakhstan's immigration law, the inviting party is not an abstract concept, but an entity that assumes full responsibility for the foreigner to the state. And there is a strict restriction: only professional participants in the country's economic life can invite a business immigrant. 
 
 Who exactly can act in this role? Only legal entities registered in the Republic of Kazakhstan or Sole Proprietors operating within its territory. Individuals—even if they own real estate or are close relatives of the future businessman—are not allowed to act as inviting party for a C5 visa. This is a fundamental difference from private or tourist visits. 
 
 What does "bear responsibility" mean in practice? The inviting company undertakes to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the National Security Committee not only to admit the foreigner, but to provide legal support at all stages:

• Ensure that he is registered with the migration authorities within a strictly allotted timeframe—three working days from the moment of crossing the border.
• Apply for an extension or restoration of your visa if necessary.
• Inform the authorized bodies of any changes in the status or location of the foreigner.
• In extreme cases, bear the costs associated with the deportation of a foreigner if he violates the law.

 
A special case: a startup from scratch. A logical question arises: what to do if a foreigner doesn't yet have their own company in Kazakhstan, but already needs an inviting party? Kazakhstan's legal services market offers a legal mechanism for avoiding this trap. Specialized companies (law firms, consulting firms) can act as temporary inviting parties. They assume the functions of the host organization during the initial entry stage, and after registering their own LLP, the foreigner "switches" the invitation to their own company. This is completely legal, although it requires careful verification of the intermediary's reputation.

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Visa Support: How an Invitation Is Created 
 The process of obtaining an invitation isn't as simple as sending a fax or email, but a full-fledged administrative procedure involving two law enforcement agencies. 
 
 Stage One: Initiation. The inviting party assembles a package of documents, including the company's incorporation documents, a letter of guarantee pledging to perform all the above-mentioned functions, and a copy of the invited foreigner's passport. This package is submitted to the local branch of the Migration Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. 
 
 Stage Two: Security Filter. This is where the fun begins. The Migration Service, having verified the documents for formal compliance, sends the petition for approval to the National Security Committee. The NSC verifies whether the foreigner poses a potential threat to national security. By law, this process is allotted up to three business days, but if questions arise or database matches are found, the period may extend to thirty calendar days. This isn't a system "slowdown," but a deliberately built-in security mechanism. 
 
 Step three: Assigning a number. If both authorities approve, the application is assigned a unique visa support number. It's important to understand: the foreigner isn't sent a beautifully stamped form. They are given a number that is entered into a single database. This is the number the consular officer at the Kazakhstani embassy abroad will see on their screen when the foreigner applies for a visa. Without this number in the database, the consul will be physically unable to issue the visa, even if they have kilograms of perfect documents on their desk.

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Primary Visa: Why the Consulate and Not the Airport? 
 Kazakhstan's legislation contains an ironclad rule: primary C5 visas are issued exclusively by Kazakhstan's foreign missions—embassies and consulates abroad. This isn't a whim, but a profound understanding. 
 
 Legislative logic: Due diligence should occur before a person enters the country, not after. The embassy in the foreigner's country of origin has the ability to verify the authenticity of documents (certificates of no criminal record, diplomas, marriage certificates) through local channels. The consul assesses the genuineness of the applicant's intentions, asks questions, and makes eye contact. This is the final line of defense, weeding out those who are trying to exploit business immigration for other purposes. 
 
 Primary Visa Parameters: The primary C5 visa is always single-entry. Its maximum validity is 90 days. This means exactly what it says: if a foreigner receives a visa, enters Kazakhstan, and then leaves for some reason (for example, an urgent need to return to their home country), they will no longer be able to reenter on that same visa. It expires upon their first exit. This is a crucial detail that many overlook when planning their trips. 
 
 What to do in the first 90 days: During these three months, a foreigner must complete three steps, without which legalization is impossible:

1. Obtain an IIN (Individual Identification Number), without which nothing can be done in Kazakhstan: neither opening an account, nor signing a contract, nor registering a company.
2. Register a legal entity—your own limited liability company—or officially become a founder of an existing company.
3. Form the authorized capital in the amount stipulated by law for the selected organizational and legal form.
   

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In-Country Extension: Transforming a Temporary Visa into a Long-Term Visa 
 Once the company is established, the second stage begins. A foreigner, already within Kazakhstan, has the right to convert their 90-day visa into a multi-year one, without having to travel abroad. 
 
 The Role of the Akimat 
 : This is where the local executive body, the Akimat, comes into play. A foreigner (or their company on their behalf) applies to the Entrepreneurship Department of the city or district where the LLP is registered. A business plan is attached to the application. The Akimat evaluates the feasibility of the plan, how many jobs will be created, the expected investment volume, and whether the activity meets the stated business immigration goals. 
 
 A Petition as a Pass: If the Akimat approves, it issues a letter of petition addressed to the head of the Police Department (Migration Service). This letter is a key document. Without it, the migration service will not begin the extension process, even if all other paperwork is in perfect order. Final: Multiple-entry visa. With the Akimat's petition, passport, photographs, and an application from their limited liability company, the foreigner goes to the migration service. The review period typically takes five to seven business days, although if additional approvals from the National Security Committee are required, it can extend up to a month. As a result, the foreigner receives a multiple-entry C5 visa valid for up to two years. This is a fully-fledged document, allowing free border crossing and the feeling of being a resident rather than a guest in Kazakhstan.

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Practical Pitfalls: What the Instructions Don't Tell You 
 Experience from 2025-2026 has revealed several issues that cause refusals and delays. 
 
 The Time Trap: 
 The most common mistake is delaying the application for an extension. Many wait until the final weeks of their 90-day visa to apply for a two-year visa. The problem is that the Akimat (city administration) takes up to 15 business days or more to review a business plan. If these 15 days overlap with the final days of the visa, the foreigner risks finding themselves in a situation where their visa has already expired and the Akimat's application is still pending. Formally, from this point on, they are in the country illegally. The recommendation is simple: submit documents to the Akimat immediately after registering the company, without waiting for critical deadlines. 
 
 The Document Trap: 
 Properly completed documents from the country of origin are critical for a primary visa. A certificate of no criminal record must not only be translated but also legalized (an apostille is often required). A medical certificate confirming the absence of dangerous diseases must be issued no later than three months prior to application. Any error in these documents during the consular verification process will result in the visa being denied, and a new visa support number will have to be requested. Furthermore, some visa offices impose strict criteria on applicants—they must prove that they are already registered entrepreneurs . 
 
 Address trap: 
 The inviting party is obliged to register the foreigner at a specific residential address. If a foreigner actually lives in one apartment but is registered in another (for example, they decided to save money and registered with friends), this will be considered a violation of migration registration rules during the verification process, with all the ensuing consequences.

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Summary: An invitation as a foundation. 
 An invitation for a C5 visa is more than just a formality; it's a complex legal instrument linking a foreigner, a Kazakhstani company, and the state. The speed of obtaining a visa, as well as the ability to comfortably conduct business in Kazakhstan for years to come, depend on how well the relationship between the inviting party and the foreigner is structured, and how accurately deadlines and document requirements are met. A mistake at this stage can ruin all plans, so the approach to issuing an invitation should be strategic rather than formal.

Visa Regime for Entrepreneurs: Obtaining a C5 Document in Kazakhstan
 
 Authorized Authorities 
 The procedure for obtaining a C5 entry document is strictly territorial. A foreign citizen intending to engage in commercial activity in Kazakhstan must apply for an initial visa through the republic's diplomatic missions operating outside its borders. Consular sections of embassies and independent consulates of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the applicants' countries of residence are the only authorities authorized to affix this type of entry stamp in passports. Initial visas are not issued within the country.
 
 Invitation Mechanism: 
 An invitation issued by a subject under Kazakhstani jurisdiction serves as the basis for initiating the visa process. A wide range of individuals and organizations can act as inviting parties. This could include an existing commercial enterprise registered in the prescribed manner, future business partners interested in the presence of a foreigner, or a specialized organization specializing in migration support and providing related services for a fee. 
 
 An integral attribute of the invitation is a digital identifier assigned after approval by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Interaction occurs through a specialized online resource, vmp.gov.kz , where the inviting party registers their intentions and receives a unique code, which must be included in the invitation. The absence of this code renders the document unusable for consular purposes. 
 
 Applicant Requirements: 
 Legislative norms establish a number of criteria that a foreign citizen applying for business immigrant status must meet. The first and fundamental requirement is reaching the age of majority, that is, eighteen years of age at the time of submission of documents. This requirement is mandatory and has no exceptions. 
 
 Medical Formalities: 
 Entry into the republic requires documentary evidence of health. Foreigners are required to provide two separate medical documents. 
 
 The first is an official conclusion from an authorized medical institution confirming the absence of any illnesses included by law in the list of conditions prohibiting entry. This list contains a limited range of socially dangerous infections, and the presence of the relevant certificate is intended to guarantee that the applicant is not a carrier of these infections. 
 
 The second is an insurance contract issued for the duration of the requested stay and providing coverage for emergency and primary medical care in Kazakhstan. The insurance policy must be recognized as valid and meet the minimum requirements for insurance products for incoming foreigners. 
 
 Documents confirming legal status: 
 A special place in the set of materials is occupied by certificates issued by the competent authorities of the applicant's country of origin or the state of their permanent residence. 
 
 A certificate of the presence or absence of a criminal record is considered mandatory. This document is subject to legalization in accordance with international standards. For countries that have acceded to the Hague Convention, this means the need for an apostille from the authorized body of the issuing state. For other countries, the consular legalization procedure applies. The legalized document must be accompanied by a notarized translation into Kazakh or Russian. 
 
 The second document concerns the applicant's professional reputation in the commercial sector. This is a certificate confirming the absence of a court-imposed ban on entrepreneurial activity. This requirement is unique in that it is optional. The obligation to provide such a certificate arises only if the legislation of the foreign state allows for its issuance. If the legal system of the country of origin does not provide a mechanism for obtaining such information as a separate document, the applicant is exempt from providing it but must be prepared to explain this circumstance. 
 
 Financial Component: 
 The processing of entry documents is accompanied by mandatory payments to the budget. Fees are tied to a monthly calculation index, the amount of which is approved annually. In 2026, this index was set at 4,325 tenge. 
 
 The procedure for coordinating an invitation through the portal of the Ministry of Internal Affairs is subject to a fee equal to half the MCI. Therefore, 2,162 tenge must be transferred for each invitee before submitting the documents for approval. 
 
 The visa itself, which grants entry and subsequent exit, is paid at a rate of 7 MCI. Based on these values, the total amount payable is 30,275 tenge. Payment is made before submitting documents to the consular office; a receipt is included with the application. 
 
 Certain categories of individuals are exempt from fees or entitled to preferential processing. These include ethnic Kazakhs exercising their right of return, minors under the age of sixteen , and those invited by state agencies and local administrations.
 
The visa regime 
 for business immigrants is structured according to a two-stage process. During the first stage, the applicant receives a single-entry visa, valid for a maximum of three months. This period is sufficient to complete all necessary actions in Kazakhstan, including registering the newly created legal entity, filing, and commencing operations. 
 
 Once the company is registered and operational, the foreigner has the right to apply for a change in visa status. If a local executive authority approves the single-entry visa, it is converted into a multiple-entry visa. The standard validity period for such a document is up to two years. For individuals who have confirmed their membership in the Kazakh diaspora, this period is extended to three years. The multiple-entry visa allows its holder to freely cross the border without having to obtain new entry documents each time. 
 
 Legal Restrictions: Legislation establishes a strict connection between the possession of a C5 visa and the ability to engage in commercial activity. A foreign citizen who has not completed the procedure for obtaining this document is prohibited from acting as a founder of newly created organizations, becoming a shareholder in existing legal entities, or engaging in other entrepreneurial activity requiring registration. This ban applies to all foreigners with the exception of citizens of Eurasian Economic Union member states, for whom a different legalization procedure is established. 
 
 Attempts to circumvent this requirement by registering a company with a tourist or private visa create significant legal risks. If such a violation is detected, the legal entity's registration may be challenged in court and subsequently annulled, and the foreigner may be subject to administrative deportation with a possible ban on future entry. 
 
 The inviting party that issued the invitation assumes certain obligations with respect to the invited person. Specifically, if it is necessary to deport a foreigner who lacks the necessary funds for departure, the costs may be borne by the inviting organization if it is found guilty of violating immigration regulations.

Situation: Founder and Director in One Person 
 In practice, a situation often arises where a foreign citizen is the sole founder of a partnership established in Kazakhstan and simultaneously holds the position of its first director (CEO). In this case, they are faced with the question of what migration status is required for legal residence and the exercise of their powers. 
 
 Kazakhstani legislation offers two possible legalization options, the choice between which depends on the specific circumstances and intentions of the foreigner. 

 Option One: Maintaining Business Immigrant Status (C5 Visa) 
 For a foreigner who has established and simultaneously manages a company, the most logical and legally correct path is to maintain business immigrant status with a corresponding extension of the C5 visa. 
 
 This approach is justified by the fact that the initial entry was carried out specifically for the purpose of entrepreneurial activity, and this purpose has not changed after the company's registration. The founder, who makes management decisions and carries out general management, acts within the scope of his or her entrepreneurial function, and not as an employee. 
 
 A multiple-entry C5 visa extension for up to two years is granted upon receipt of a positive petition from the local executive body. In this case, being a founder serves as sufficient grounds for assuming the position of CEO. 

 Option two: transition to hired executive status (C3 visa). 
 An alternative is obtaining a category C3 work visa, which is intended for foreign citizens working in Kazakhstan. This option is technically feasible, but has its own peculiarities. 
 
 For a foreigner who is the sole founder, obtaining a work visa poses a legal conflict: the employer is the company they created. However, the law allows for a C3 visa to be issued to the CEO of a legal entity with 100% foreign participation. In this case, permission to hire foreign labor is not required, significantly simplifying the procedure. 
 
 The basis for obtaining a work visa is the decision (minutes) of the general meeting of participants appointing a foreign citizen to the position of director. In this scenario, a foreigner is officially registered as an employee, signs an employment contract with their own company, and is subject to labor law. 
 
 The key difference: purpose of stay 
The difference between the two approaches lies in the legal classification of the purpose of stay. A C5 visa positions a foreigner as an investor and business owner, while a C3 visa defines them as an employed manager performing labor functions. It is crucial to note that having founder status does not obligate a foreigner to obtain a work visa. As explained in judicial practice and clarifications from authorized bodies, if a foreigner is both a participant in a partnership and its first manager, a valid C5 visa is sufficient. In this case, an additional C3 visa is not required. 

 Remote Management: 
 A situation in which a foreigner does not plan to permanently reside in Kazakhstan deserves special consideration. If the company is managed remotely, without actually residing in the country, no migration status is required. A foreigner may periodically enter Kazakhstan under other visa categories or visa-free (depending on citizenship) to address current issues, without exceeding the permitted stay. 
 
 However, it is important to understand the restriction: without a C5 or C3 visa, a foreign citizen cannot permanently reside in Kazakhstan or conduct business here. To legally reside and perform managerial functions on a permanent basis, obtaining the appropriate status is mandatory. Practical recommendations: When deciding between extending a C5 visa and applying for a C3 visa, the following circumstances should be considered:

• Extending a C5 visa is a simpler and more straightforward process, as it doesn't require an employment contract or hiring procedures. This option is ideal for those who initially entered the country as business immigrants and continue to maintain this status.
• A C3 visa may be considered in situations where, for some reason, extending a C5 visa is difficult (for example, due to a negative decision by the akimat) or when, for other reasons, it is more convenient for a foreigner to have work status.

In any case, regardless of the chosen path, valid immigration status is a mandatory requirement for legal residence and the exercise of company management powers. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in administrative liability and create risks for the legal entity itself.

A common misconception about visas and taxes. 
 Foreign entrepreneurs applying for a C5 visa to conduct business in Kazakhstan often ask: does obtaining this document automatically entail recognition as a tax resident of the republic? The answer is clear: no, it does not. 
 
 It is important to clearly distinguish between two independent legal institutions—migration status and tax residency . The C5 visa is an exclusively migration document, granting the right to enter, stay, and conduct business activities. It has no direct impact on determining an individual's tax status. 
 
 The criterion for tax residency is the duration of stay. 
 The Tax Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan establishes clear and objective criteria for recognizing an individual as a tax resident. It is not the type of visa, the presence of a registered company, or the purpose of entry, but solely: 
 
 1. The time indicator—the number of days of actual presence in the country. According to the law, an individual is considered a tax resident of Kazakhstan if they are in the republic for 183 or more calendar days during any twelve-month period ending in the current tax period . This period is not strictly tied to a calendar year and is calculated on a sliding scale. 
 Practical scenarios: resident or non-resident. Based on this criterion, two fundamentally different scenarios are possible, determining the amount of a foreigner's tax liability. 
 
 2. The center of vital interests in the Republic. Criterion two: center of vital interests. A lesser-known, but no less important criterion comes into effect even if the 183-day stay is not reached. According to the Tax Code, an individual may be considered a tax resident of Kazakhstan if they spend less than 183 days in the country in any twelve-month period, but their center of vital interests is located in Kazakhstan during the reporting period. The legislation establishes strict, exhaustive conditions for applying this criterion. Unlike many foreign jurisdictions, where the center of vital interests is determined by a combination of various factors, the Kazakh approach is formalized and requires the simultaneous fulfillment of all of the following conditions: Conditions for recognition of the center of vital interests in Kazakhstan

№	Condition	Content
1	Having official status	A foreign citizen must have citizenship of the Republic of Kazakhstan, a residence permit (RP) or a temporary residence permit (TRP)
2	Family accommodation	The spouse and/or close relatives (parents, children) actually reside in Kazakhstan
3	Availability of affordable housing	The foreigner himself or his family members own real estate in Kazakhstan or rent housing that is available for occupancy at any time.

A crucial detail: for the center of vital interests criterion to apply, all three conditions must be met simultaneously. The absence of even one of them renders this criterion inapplicable. 
 
 Scenario One: Stay of Less than 183 Days. 
 If a foreigner, even with a valid C5 visa, spends less than 183 days in Kazakhstan within any twelve-month period, they retain their tax non-resident status. In this case, their obligations to the Kazakh budget are limited:

• Only income received from sources in Kazakhstan is subject to taxation;
• Global income received outside the republic is not subject to declaration and taxation in Kazakhstan.

A typical example: an entrepreneur comes to Kazakhstan for a few months to launch a project, then leaves and manages the business remotely. This regime allows them to pay taxes only on amounts earned directly in Kazakhstan (for example, the salary they pay themselves as a director or dividends as a shareholder), and avoids having to report to Kazakhstani tax authorities income from renting out an apartment in another country or dividends from foreign companies. 
 
 Scenario Two: Stay of 183 Days or More: 
 If a foreigner actually resides in Kazakhstan for 183 days or more during any twelve-month period, they automatically acquire tax resident status. From this point on, their tax status changes dramatically:

• an obligation arises to declare all income received from sources both in Kazakhstan and outside of it ( the principle of global taxation);
• Tax rates are applied on the general basis provided for residents.

Thus, if a business immigrant relocates to Kazakhstan permanently and spends most of the year here, their obligations extend to income from rental property in another country, interest on deposits in foreign banks, dividends from foreign companies, and any other income received anywhere in the world. 
 
 Mechanism for Avoiding Double Taxation: Becoming a tax resident of Kazakhstan while having income in other countries does not automatically imply double taxation. The Republic has an extensive network of international double 
 taxation treaties with many countries. 
 The mechanism for these agreements is based on two main principles:

1. The credit method—tax paid abroad is applied toward taxes owed in Kazakhstan. In other words, if a foreigner paid tax on income in the country where it was received, they can reduce their tax liability to the Kazakh budget by that amount.
2. Allocation of taxing rights - certain types of income (for example, passive income such as dividends or royalties) may be taxed only in the country of their source or at reduced rates.

 
To benefit from the benefits provided by the international agreement, it is necessary to submit to the Kazakhstan tax authority a document confirming permanent residence abroad (a tax residency certificate ), legalized in accordance with the established procedure. 
 
 Summary for Practical Application 
To summarize the above, the following key points can be formulated:

• A C5 visa does not grant tax residency . It neither obligates one to pay taxes on global income nor exempts one from them.
• The only criterion is the number of days. Tax residency status is determined solely by the length of actual stay in the country—183 days in any twelve-month period.
• Until the threshold is exceeded, only local income is considered. Until the specified time threshold is exceeded, a foreigner reports and pays taxes only on income earned in Kazakhstan.
• Once exceeded, global declaration is required. From the moment you acquire residency status, you are required to declare all your worldwide income, but with the option to apply double taxation treaties.

Therefore, when planning their stay in Kazakhstan, a foreign entrepreneur should carefully consider their preferred residence model: temporary visits for business management retain limited tax liabilities, while permanent residence entails full tax residency with all the attendant consequences.

A dangerous misconception exists among foreign entrepreneurs just starting out in Kazakhstan: after receiving an initial C5 visa and registering a company, they can temporarily leave the country for personal or business matters, then return unhindered to finalize the paperwork. This logic seems natural, but it contradicts the fundamental rules of immigration law. 
 The legal nature of a single-entry visa: 
 The initial C5 visa, which a foreign citizen receives at a Kazakhstan consular office abroad, has a strictly defined legal status—it is single-entry . This means that its legal validity is exercised only once: upon the first entry into Kazakhstan. 
 
 Upon entry into Kazakhstan, the visa has already fulfilled its primary function and exists only as a basis for legal stay for the permitted period. However, once its holder leaves the country, the document automatically loses its validity. Re-entry with the same visa is not provided for by law.
 
 What happens after leaving? 
 Let's imagine a situation: a foreigner entered Kazakhstan on a single-entry C5 visa, successfully registered a limited liability company, and received a business identification number. However, for some reason, they urgently need to fly back to their home country or a third country. If they leave Kazakhstan before receiving a multiple-entry visa, the consequences will be irreversible. 
 
 Upon exiting, their original visa is automatically cancelled. Returning and continuing the process from where they left off will be impossible. They will be required to go through the entire process again:

1. Obtaining a new invitation from the Kazakh side and obtaining a unique visa support identification code through the authorized bodies' portal.
2. Apply to a Kazakhstan consular office abroad to obtain a new single-entry visa category C5.
3. Re-entry into the republic and completion of all legalization stages from scratch.
    

 The only safe scenario: 
 The law permits travel outside Kazakhstan only after the visa extension procedure has been completed and the foreign citizen has received a new document—a multiple-entry category C5 visa. This visa is valid for up to two years and allows multiple border crossings without losing legal status. 
 Therefore, the sequence of actions must be strictly as follows:

• entry on a single-entry visa C5;
• company registration and compliance with all immigration legislation requirements;
• receiving a petition from the local executive body (akimat);
• applying to the migration service and obtaining a multiple-entry visa;
• Only after receiving a multiple-entry visa can you plan any trips outside of Kazakhstan.
   

 Why is this rule so important? 
 Compliance with this requirement is not dictated by the whims of officials, but by the logic of immigration control. A single-entry visa is issued for a specific purpose: entry to conduct business activities and register a company. After this task is completed, the foreigner's status must either be converted to long-term (through extension) or terminated by exiting the country. The intermediate state, when a company has already been established but a multiple-entry visa has not yet been issued, does not grant the right to free movement across the border. 
 
 Attempting to leave before receiving a multiple-entry visa is considered a voluntary termination of the visa document. The state assumes that the foreigner has concluded their business and no longer needs to remain in the country. Returning and requesting continuation of the procedure on the same basis is legally impossible. 

 Practical recommendations: 
 Foreign entrepreneurs planning to operate in Kazakhstan should take this rule into account when organizing their schedule. For the period from entry until receiving a multiple-entry visa (usually up to three to four months), any plans to leave the country should be excluded. All personal and business matters requiring physical presence outside of Kazakhstan must be either resolved before entry or postponed until a multiple-entry visa is obtained. 
 
 In the event of force majeure circumstances requiring urgent departure, it should be understood that departure will mean termination of the current procedure and the need to start over. This is not an administrative fine or a sanction; it is an objective consequence of the legal nature of a single-entry visa.